title: Primary tooth enamel loss after manual and mechanical microabrasion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study's purpose was to assess the amount of dental enamel loss on primary incisors after manual or mechanical microabrasion with a phosphoric acid/pumice paste.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten exfoliated primary maxillary incisors were bisected faciolingually and the resulting 20 halves were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group 1 (N = 10)-manual technique (plastic spatula); and group 2 (N = 10)-mechanical technique (rubber cup attached to a low-speed handpiece). Microabrasion was performed on the buccal surface using an abrasive paste prepared with 37% phosphoric acid and pumice. Ten 20-second applications alternated with 20-second risings were performed in each group. Enamel thickness measurements made under stereomicroscopy before and after microabrasion were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and pairwise t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference (P = .003) between the manual and mechanical techniques. The mechanical technique produced a mean enamel loss of 274.16 microm (66% of total enamel thickness), while the mean enamel loss with the manual technique was 152.59 microm (39% of total enamel thickness).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manual microabrasion using a plastic spatula removed less enamel, but was sufficient to eliminate most superficial stains and defects, and may be a viable option for the microabrasive technique on primary teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil. aczuanon@foar.unesp.br
authors.forename: Angela Cristina Cilense
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Zuanon
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santos-Pinto
authors.forename: Elcilaine Rizzato
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Luciana Monti
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology*; D019243:Enamel Microabrasion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology*; D009824:Ointments; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010969:Plastics; D012408:Rubber; D017640:Silicates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D010969:Plastics; D017640:Silicates; D012408:Rubber; C030242:phosphoric acid; C005144:pumice